Psychologists to maintain high standards under new requirements

01 Dec 2025

Safe and effective practice is at the centre of a new Code of conduct for psychologists and updated professional competencies that come into effect today.

The Psychology Board of Australia has developed its own regulatory code to replace the Australian Psychologist Society’s Code of ethics, which was used as a foundation document when the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme began in 2010.

The new code aligns with updated competencies for registration that set out the knowledge, skills, abilities, behaviours, values and other attributes required to practice as a psychologist in Australia.

‘Public safety is our priority, and we continue to set high standards for psychologists,’ Psychology Board of Australia Chair Rachel Phillips said.

‘These regulatory documents outline what the Board expects of psychologists and what patients should also expect of the people entrusted with their care.

‘We want to foster a positive and supportive culture in the profession, for the benefit of the community, and value the ongoing contribution of Australia’s highly skilled and capable psychologists.’

At the end of 2024/25, there were 50,409 registered psychologists in Australia, a 4.5 per cent increase on the year before.

The new code builds on extensive research and analysis conducted as part of the development of the shared Code of conduct released in 2022. It aligns with the shared code and other elements of the National Scheme and reflects the diverse range of psychological practice settings.

The Board conducted extensive consultation in 2023 and announced the new code a year ago to ensure psychologists were prepared.

The new code and competencies also embed cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in line with changes to the National Law.

The updated competencies were also released well in advance. The latest additions include information about self-care, reflective practice, and digital health practice.

Ms Phillips said the code and competencies were evidence-based and in line with international benchmarks.

Updated guidelines for the 5+1 internship program and the national psychology exam also come into effect today. All provisional psychologists and their supervisors completing the 5+1 internship must now comply with the revised requirements.

These updates reflect the Board’s ongoing commitment to supporting psychologists at every stage of their career and registration journey, ensuring high-quality practice and public safety. The revised guidelines include changes to internship requirements, updated competencies for general registration, and exemptions for some internationally qualified psychologists.

The Psychology Board of Australia is one of 15 National Boards working with Ahpra to regulate registered practitioners under the National Scheme.